Kickoff chronicles

West Ham United vs Chelsea

The opening fixture of Matchweek 2 saw Graham Potter’s West Ham take on Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea at the London Stadium on Friday night, in the Premier League’s latest capital derby. West Ham made an electric start to the tie when Lucas Paqueta scored the first goal of the game just six minutes into his return to the London Stadium. He picked the ball up in the Chelsea half before driving forwards and drilling the ball into the top right corner from 25-yards out, a goal of the season contender. Chelsea equalised just nine minutes later to silence the home crowd, with Marc Cucurella heading Pedro Neto’s corner over to the back post where Joao Pedro was able to open his account as a Chelsea player, with an easy header. Only seconds after West Ham and Niclas Fullkrug thought they’d scored to make it 2-1, Chelsea scored a somewhat controversial 2nd goal to totally flip the script. Paqueta was quite clearly fouled in the corner of the West Ham’s half but referee Michael Oliver made the odd decision not to call the foul, with Pedro returning the favour to Neto, chipping the ball over to the back post where Neto beat his man to smash the ball past Mads Hermansen. 24/25 Hammer of the year, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, was having an unusually poor day at the office, letting his man go for both of the Chelsea goals. Brazilian wonderkid Estevao for Chelsea then made it 1-3 just before the break, bursting down the right wing before playing the ball across the 6-yard box. Wan-Bissaka was caught out for the 3rd time in the half, letting Enzo Fernandez slip in behind him and slot the ball past Hermansen. The half-time score finished 1-3, with Potter’s side walking into the change rooms to the echoes of boos from the West Ham fans.

It only got worse from a West Ham perspective in the 2nd half, with Chelsea wrapping up all three points in the 54th minute with their 4th goal. It was yet again incompetent defending from a set piece, with Hermansen unconvincingly punching the ball into the feet of Moises Caideco, with the Ecuadorian left with an open net to tap the ball into. Number five came just four minutes later for the Blues after Neto’s corner was not convincingly punched away by Hermansen yet again, with Pedro playing the ball back into the danger area for Trevoh Chalobah to smash past the West Ham defenders on the line. West Ham played much better in the final half an hour but the damage was well and truly done, with the full-time score finishing 1-5. Chelsea claimed their first win of the season in a dominant fashion, without their starboy Cole Palmer, who injured himself in the warm-up. West Ham are proving to be in real danger, sitting bottom of the table with a -7 goal difference after only two games.

Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur

The first game played on Saturday afternoon in Matchweek 2 saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in what was predicted to be the most exciting fixture of the weekend. Manchester City came inches away from taking an early lead, after Omar Marmoush saw his effort roll across the face of the goal from a Pedro Porro error. The Egyptian had another chance just 15 minutes later where his shot from inside the area drew a solid stop from Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario. Totally against the run of play in the 35th minute, Tottenham took a shock lead after Pape Sarr flicked the ball down the right wing to Richarlison with a smart header. Richarlison then drilled the ball across the penalty area, where Brennan Johnson smashed the ball past James Trafford to silence the Etihad. Only minutes before the interval, Tottenham scored yet again to further the distance between themselves and the Citizens. New keeper, Trafford from Burnley, played a pointless pass across his penalty area which was intercepted by Sarr. The ball fell to Richarlison who was hesitant to shoot, with the ball punched out of his feet by Trafford before new signing, Joao Paulinha from Bayern Munich, smashed the ball into the back of the City net to make it 0-2. The score at half-time finished 0-2, with City looking really poor both defensively and offensively.

City were once again lacking something in their final 3rd which was quite odd given they’d scored four away at Wolves last weekend. They had a couple of chances in the 2nd half, but Tottenham were determined to keep their another clean sheet for the season. The full-time score finished 0-2, with Tottenham claiming their 2nd win of the season, scoring five and conceding 0. The new era under Thomas Frank is truly underway. Manchester City fans will hope this was just a one off poor performance, as they will have to regroup for Brighton next weekend.

AFC Bournemouth vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The following fixture in Matchweek 2 saw Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Vitor Pereira’s Wolves at the Vitality Stadium with both sides conceding four goals and losing their season opener. Both sides had the opportunity to take the lead inside three minutes, with David Brooks and Marshall Munetsi both blasting the ball over the bar from close range for their respective teams. The hosts then took the lead moments later after Antoine Semenyo threaded the ball through to Marcus Tavernier inside the Wolves penalty area. The Englishman cut back onto his left boot, before unleashing a strike, watching as his effort took a big deflection, taking it into the top left corner. Semenyo had a huge chance from a couple of yards out in the 11th minute, after his volley effort on the stretch rattled the underside of the woodwork and bounced out of danger. Wolves had a major chance to equalise in the 19th minute, after Jorgan Strand Larsen’s headed effort was brilliantly saved by Bournemouth’s new keeper, Djordje Petrovic. The half-time score finished 1-0, with Iraola hoping his side could hold on for their first win of the season.

Wolves then made things much harder for themselves only minutes into the 2nd half after they were reduced to 10 men. Evanilson was through on goal where Wolves centre half, Toti Gomes, brought down the Brazilian in what was a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity and a deserved red card. Bournemouth dominated the rest of the half, with Wolves very fortunate that Bournemouth were unable to make it 2-0, with Semenyo smashing the ball over the woodwork before Tyler Adams forced a fabulous save from Jose Sa. The full-time score finished 1-0, with Bournemouth claiming their first win of the season. Wolves still haven’t scored a goal in the 25/26 season as they look to be in serious trouble.

Brentford vs Aston Villa

The next game played in Matchweek 2 saw Keith Andrews’ Brentford host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Despite all their losses in the summer window, Brentford made a much better start to the game than Villa and scored a deserved opener in the 12th minute. Caominhin Kelleher’s long ball was flicked into the path of new signing, Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth, by Igor Thiago leaving Ouattara through on goal. His first effort was saved by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez before the ball bounced back to him, with the new man making no mistake with his 2nd effort. Brentford were so much stronger than Villa in the first half, attacking the travelling side every time they ventured forward. Mikkel Damsgaard thought he’d given his side a two goal advantage right before the break when he thrashed the ball into the back of Martinez’s goal, only for it to be ruled out for a weak foul on the Argentinian goalkeeper. The half-time score finished 1-0, with Brentford hoping for a first win of the season.

Villa were much improved in the 2nd half, with Morgan Rogers seeing his effort blocked before Emiliano Buendia’s shot fizzed just wide of the post. Brentford then had a few big chances through their striker, Thiago, blasting his first effort wide of the woodwork before his 2nd effort was saved by Martinez. The full-time score finished 1-0, with Brentford picking up a huge shock win against Villa, with Andrews proving all of his doubters wrong. It has been a worrying start to the season for Emery’s men, signing few players and yet to score a goal this season.

Burnley vs Sunderland

The following game in Matchweek 2 saw Scott Parker’s Burnley host Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland at Turf Moor in what was the first match-up between the two promoted sides. Sunderland came inches away from taking an early lead against their Championship rivals, with Dan Ballard heading the ball across the penalty area from a free kick before Eliezer Mayenda’s effort was brilliantly kept out by Martin Dubravka. Sunderland were dominating and only moments later, Chemsdine Talbi’s chipped effort bounced just wide of the far post. Lyle Foster then thought he’d given the hosts the lead, smashing the ball into the top right corner, only for his goal to be ruled out for a foul by Dennis Cirksin. Burnley should have taken the lead with the last kick of the half after Jaidon Anthony headed Hannibal Mejbri’s cross wide of the post. The half-time score finished 0-0, with both sides having chances to go ahead. 

Burnley made the perfect start to the 2nd half, scoring inside two minutes of the restart thanks to skipper Josh Cullen. Anthony intelligently flicked the ball to Cullen on the outside of the area where the captain cut in before curling the ball into the bottom right corner, a brilliant way to score Burnley’s first of the season. Burnley kept up the pressure for the rest of the half and wrapped up all three points in the 88th minute. Cullen returned the favour for Anthony, playing a brilliant ball through the Sunderland defence for the Englishman to take round Black Cats keeper, Robin Roefs, before smashing the ball into an uncontested net. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Scotty Parker’s side picking up their first win of the season. Sunderland were disappointing in the 2nd half, but won’t be too bothered given they picked up a brilliant three points last weekend.

Arsenal vs Leeds United

The final game played on Saturday afternoon in Matchweek 2 saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Daniel Farke’s Leeds at the Emirates Stadium, with both sides claiming 1-0 wins in the opening weekend. Leeds had the first chance of the half inside 20 minutes after Pascal Struijk’s header from a corner was acrobatically tipped over the bar by David Raya. The Gunners then took the lead just after the half hour mark after they scored off their 2nd corner of the season. Declan Rice’s corner was flicked into the far right corner of Lucas Perri’s goal by Jurrien Timber, proving why they are the best set piece attacking team in the league. Bukayo Saka then opened his account for the season just before the interval when Timber slipped the ball through to Saka where Arsenal’s ‘starboy’ thrashed the ball into the top left corner. The half-time score finished 2-0, with it hard to see Leeds coming back given how Arsenal were dominating. 

Viktor Gyokeres, arguably the most anticipated signing of this season, scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners in the 48th minute after a chipped ball over the Leeds defence by Riccardo Calafiori. The big Swede cut into the penalty area, bullying his way through the Leeds defence before smashing the ball into the bottom left corner, a classic Gyokeres goal. Timber then scored his 2nd of the game after another Rice inswinging corner. There was much confusion in the penalty area with Leeds failing to clear before the Dutchman poked the ball into the top right corner. Arsenal then made it 5-0 just before half-time when 15-year-old debutant, Max Downman, won his side a penalty after he was brought down by Anton Stach. Gyokeres sealed his brace after smashing the ball into the bottom right corner, with all the credit down to Downman who was definitely one for the future. The full-time score finished 5-0 with Arsenal putting out a five-star display. They sit top of the table on six points. Leeds failed to cause Arsenal any real problems and will need to improve vastly for Newcastle on Friday.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

The first game played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 2 saw Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace host Nuno Espirito’s Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park. Both sides had huge chances early on, with Chris Wood missing the target from close range for Forest before Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta saw his rocket of an effort tipped wide by 24/25 Golden Glove winner Matz Sels. Despite the loss of their star player, Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Palace took the lead in the 37th minute after Daniel Munoz crossed the ball in from the right wing. Ismaila Sarr met the Colombian’s cross with a neat side-foot volleyed finish to score Palace’s first of the campaign. With the last kick of the half, Sels was called into action again, diving low to tip Marc Guehi’s diving header wide of the near post. The half-time score finished 1-0 with Forest lucky they weren’t down by more.

Forest were much better in the 2nd half and found a deserved equaliser in the 57th minute after new signing, Dan Ndoye, brilliantly knocked the ball over Palace midfielder Adam Wharton before playing a brilliant 50-yard through ball into the path of Callum Hudson-Odoi. The Englishman showed great composure to hold off the challenge of Tyrick Mitchell before he smashed the ball past Dean Henderson. Forest were so much better than Palace in the 2nd half and in the end, it was Glasner’s team who were holding out for the point. Forest summer signing, Igor Jesus, had a huge chance to win all three points for his team in stoppage time, watching as his shot from inside the Palace penalty area rattled the upright and flew away from danger. One of Forest’s other transfers in, Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich, then had a huge chance with the last kick of the game, poking the ball over the bar from close range, although he did have Palace defender Guehi hot on his tail. The full-time score finished 1-1, with Nuno disappointed his side were unable to claim all three points with all their 2nd half pressure. Palace defended well in the 2nd half to claim their second draw and point of the season.

Everton vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The following fixture in Matchweek 2 saw David Moyes’ Everton host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton in what was Everton’s first game at their brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Kaoru Mitoma came inches away from scoring one of the best ever Premier League goals of the season for Brighton, chesting the ball down in the Everton penalty area, knocking the ball over James Tarkowski, before watching as his brilliant volleyed effort rattled the upright and flew over the bar. Yankuba Minteh then put the ball on a plate for Danny Welbeck, with the striker unmarked from a couple of yards out but the Englishman somehow tripped up his own feet and smashed the ball over the bar, with a chance like that surely harder to miss than score. Totally against the run of play, Everton took the lead after the loan signing (who all Toffee’s fans were excited to see, Jack Grealish), darted with the ball down the left wing. He then put an excellent ball across the face of Bart Verbruggen’s goal, with Iliman Ndiaye left with a tap in from a yard out. Everton then had two more huge chances before the break, with Jan Paul van Hecke’s 30-yard deflected rocket smashing into the woodwork before Matt O’Riley’s chance from close range after a Tarkowski error was brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford. The half-time score finished 1-0 and against all odds, Everton had somehow kept a first half clean sheet despite all of Brighton’s chances.

Against the run of play again, Everton scored via yet another Grealish assist, although this time the goal by James Garner was much better than Grealish assist. The Man.City loanee played the ball to Garner on the edge of the Brighton penalty area where the temporary left back thrashed the ball into the bottom left corner, an unstoppable shot. Brighton then had a huge chance to half the deficit after Minteh saw his powerful shot inside the penalty area blocked by the arm of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Welbeck’s day only went from bad to worse though as his spot-kick from 12-yards was brilliantly saved by Pickford, with the Everton keeper making sure he had a big part to play on what was a spectacular win for the Toffees’ in the grand opening of their new stadium. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Moyes’ playing his cards right, making sure his side picked up their first win of the season. Brighton were desperately unlucky not to have scored as they remain winless this campaign.

Fulham vs Manchester United

The final game played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 2 saw Marco Silva’s Fulham host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United with both sides hoping to claim their first win of the season. United’s big money signing from Wolves, Mathues Cunha, looked up for the occasion creating three huge chances early on. His first was a 30-yard long shot which came inches away from giving the Red Devils the lead. His second rattled the woodwork after a shot along the floor and his 3rd was saved by Bernt Leno after a brilliant touch and shot coming from a lofted ball by keeper Altay Bayindir. Just after the half hour mark, United won a penalty after Calvin Bassey yanked Mason Mount to the ground from a corner. Skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the spot kick but it was evident the pressure got to the Portuguese midfielder as he ballooned the ball over the upright. The half-time score finished 0-0, with United missing a huge opportunity to take the lead.

Amorim’s side scored their first goal of the season just 13 minutes into the 2nd half, although it was quite controversial. Summer signing from Brentford, Bryan Mbeumo, saw his corner headed by Leny Yoro into the back of Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz. Muniz, who was Fulham’s hero last week scoring late to clinch a point at Brighton, was now on the unfortunate end of the scoresheet, with the ball deflecting past Leno and going down as a Muniz own goal. It was still highly controversial though, with Yoro clearly shoving Bassey before heading the ball. Fulham scored a deserved equaliser in the 73rd minute after some positive substitutions from Marco Silva. Alex Iwobi crossed the ball in from the left wing where Emile Smith Rowe poked the ball past Bayindir to score with his first touch of the football. Both sides had chances to snatch all three points in the final 15 minutes, but it was United who came closer, with substitute Harry Maguire seeing his header from Mbeumo’s corner brush just wide of the woodwork. The full time score finished 1-1, with a point a fair reflection of the game. Fulham draw their 2nd 1-1 game of the season as they remain unbeaten but winless. United are looking much better than last season, but are failing to pick up points and will know they have to be more convincing in front of goal against Burnley next week.

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

The final game of Matchweek 2, played on Monday night, saw Eddie Howe’s Newcastle host Arne Slot’s Liverpool at St. James’ Park. After these two sides played out a 3-3 thriller at St. James last season, this was always going to be a brilliant fixture, especially with the Alexander Isak saga ongoing. Newcastle were all over the champions in the first half an hour, but much like last week, they were missing that poachers instinct in the Liverpool penalty area. After soaking up all of Newcastle’s first half pressure, Liverpool went on a rare venture forward and scored in the 35th minute to silence St. James. Cody Gakpo played the ball to Ryan Gravenberch who was 25-yards from goal where the Dutchman lined up a powerful strike. His effort caught a fortunate deflection off Fabian Schar, leading the ball into the bottom left corner to give the Reds the lead. Despite all their first half domination, Newcastle then made the 2nd half so much harder for themselves after Anthony Gordon was sent off for an unnecessary and reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The half-time score stood at 0-1, with Liverpool now in pole position to take all three points.

Liverpool found their 2nd of the night less than 20 seconds into the 2nd period. Gakpo’s initial strike on the edge of the area was blocked by Schar, but the Dutchman was able to poke the ball to striker Hugo Ekitike who beautifully slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, his 2nd goal of the season. With all the odds against them, Newcastle then somehow managed to half the deficit in the 57th minute, after skipper Bruno Guimaraes out leapt Milos Kerkez to head Tino Livramento’s cross into the bottom right corner. Despite Gordon’s sending off, Newcastle refused to back down and continued to out play Liverpool, scoring a deserved equaliser in the 88th minute. Goalkeeper Nick Pope played the ball over the Liverpool defence with a free-kick from halfway where substitute William Osula beat Gravenberch to the ball before poking the ball underneath Alisson and over the line. With 11 minutes of added time, no fans in the ground left for the early train as both sets of fans hoped their team could snatch all three points. In the end, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha was the man to win the game in the last minute for Liverpool, having only come on in the 6th minute of stoppage time. Mohamed Salah played a quick ball across the penalty area where Dominik Szoboszlai very intelligently let it run through his legs. The ball then rolled over to the back post where Ngumoha was located, with the young Liverpool star smashing the ball to the top right corner, cementing his name into Liverpool folklore for years to come. The full-time score finished 2-3 although the way the game played out, the better team lost. The Newcastle fans inside St. James let their players know how proud they were of them, given their efforts against the champions with 10-men. Liverpool have picked up three points again, although through another last minute winner, with Slot needing to sort his side out defensively as they play Arsenal at home next weekend.

Written by Ollie Wade